Exam Results: Thousands Of Pupils Discover Their Grades Scottish school pupils have been finding out their results, with overall pass rates rising despite about a quarter of grades - nearly 125,000 - being lowered by the exams body, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
Exams were cancelled for the first time in history due to the coronavirus. Results were instead worked out using estimates made by teachers based on the pupil's performance over the school year.
However, a national moderation system meant that many pupils received lower grades than originally estimated.
The SQA said its moderation process had ensured "fairness to all learners" and maintained "standards and credibility" in the qualification system.
The SQA said it had sought to "uphold the integrity and credibility" of the system in its moderation, but that its efforts had been focused on "ensuring fairness for all learners."
The exams body also said it would look at each school's previous history of estimating results and attainment, but denied that a school's previous record could put pupils at either an advantage or a disadvantage.
Where a pupil receives a lower grade than the one estimated by their teacher or lecturer, they will be able to use a free appeals process.
Skills Development Scotland runs a free results helpline offering careers advice, information and guidance on 0808 100 8000. It will be open from 08:00 to 20:00 on Tuesday and Wednesday, then 09:00 to 17:00 on Thursday and Friday. Information and advice is also available on the My World of Work website.
The #NoWrongPath campaign is encouraging people to share their own stories on social media to highlight the different paths available to young people who may be feeling disheartened by their results.
The SQA's candidate advice line will run from 08:00 to 18:00 on Tuesday, and from 08:30 to 17:00 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The number is 0345 279 1000.
First Minister Warns Pub Cluster Cases 'Expected To Rise' The First Minister has warned the number of coronavirus cases linked to an Aberdeen pub is expected to rise from its current total of 27.
Nicola Sturgeon also revealed 15 of Scotland's new 23 positive cases were detected by NHS Grampian. The cluster, linked to people who visited the Hawthorn Bar on 26 July, emerged on Sunday.
Two staff members have tested positive for Covid-19 and the pub has closed "as a precautionary step" for 14 days. The first minister confirmed 120 contacts have been identified through the test and protect system.
The incident management team, which is led by NHS Grampian, will meet again on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the case.
Ms Sturgeon said it was continuing to "take all necessary steps to minimise transmission" and stressed investigations into the outbreak are ongoing.
She added: "This particular cluster is another reminder that this virus is still out there and hasn't gone away.
"It remains extremely infectious and, of course, it remains extremely dangerous and all of of us have a part to play in denying it the opportunities to spread."
The First Minister made clear that anyone contacted by a test and protect team and advised they are a close contact of someone with coronavirus must self isolate for 14 days.
Ms Sturgeon also urged employers not to think that testing a member of staff who is a close contact of a positive case is an alternative to self isolation.
Rise In Scottish Students Being Accepted For University The number of Scottish domiciled students being offered a place at Scottish universities is the second highest on record, up 1% to 28,240.
UCAS data published today also shows the number of acceptances from the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland to UK universities increased to a record high of 4,360.
Results are based at this stage in the process. Trends are subject to change throughout the clearing process in August and September, and to SQA appeals processes.
Call For Volunteers To Join Social Behaviour Survey Volunteers are being sought for a survey on how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting people's social behaviour.
Data on use of face coverings, travel or contact with other households will be used to improve modelling of how the outbreak is developing.
Information is already gathered by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine but a "Scottish version" will now be launched. Initially 3,000 volunteers are being sought to submit data online.
The First Minister said the relaxation of lockdown restrictions meant it was more important than ever to have up-to-date information on people's behaviour.
She said: "As we come further out of lockdown, the risks are heightened and it becomes more important that we have early warning, as early as possible of any new trend."
Nicola Sturgeon said the incubation period of the virus meant there was often a delay before changes in behaviour were reflected in the coronavirus infection statistics.
She said only a relatively small number of people from Scotland were taking part in the existing research.
"The modelling is of limited value to us in assessing the particular situation here so that's why we intend to establish a Scottish version of the survey," she announced at her latest briefing.
"It will feed into the other modelling work that is already carried out and it will help to produce results that are more relevant and therefore more applicable to Scotland."
Invitations will be sent out to people who have already taken part in population surveys, but additional volunteers will be required.
"By volunteering you will be helping us to improve our understanding of the epidemic and you will be helping to ensure we can identify and respond quickly to any changes that threaten the progress we have made."
Ms Sturgeon said details of how to take part in the survey would be published on social media later.
Edinburgh-based People's Energy Expands Into Selkirk An Edinburgh-based energy supplier has said it will create 100 new jobs with an expansion into the Borders.
People's Energy said it had plans for further recruitment at Ettrick Riverside in Selkirk in due course.
Prof Russell Griggs, who chairs South of Scotland Enterprise, described it as "fantastic news" for the community.
People's Energy chief executive David Pike said the area had a "highly talented" work force and the jobs would be created over the next 18 months.
"The Borders has a fantastic reputation for high-quality customer service and expertise in the energy sector and I see this as a much-needed boost for Selkirk, and the wider south of Scotland economy," Prof Griggs said.
"As we start to move through the route-map out of the Covid-19 crisis, the creation of job opportunities for local people will be an invaluable contribution in rebuilding our communities and businesses."
Testing And Tracing 'Key To Schools Returning', Scientists Say Current testing and contact tracing is inadequate to prevent a second wave of coronavirus after schools in the UK reopen, scientists have warned.
Increased transmission would also result from parents not having to stay at home with their children, they say. Researchers said getting pupils back to school was important - but more work was needed to keep the virus in check.
The UK government said plans were in place to ensure schools can reopen safely at the start of the school year. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate contact tracing systems.
Researchers from UCL and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine used computer models to see how the virus might spread in the UK as pupils returned to the classroom and their parents were more able to go back to work or resume other activities.
The study assumes children are less likely to catch - and therefore spread - coronavirus and that some parents would continue to work from home.
As first reported in June, the combined effect on pupils and parents would be enough to cause a second wave if there was no effective test-and-trace programme.
This would happen around December 2020 and would be twice as big as the first peak, unless the government took other actions such as reimposing lockdown.
The study, now formally published in the Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, shows a second wave could be prevented if:
A Scottish government spokesperson said guidance set out "a number of specific risk-mitigation measures that will need to be introduced" including an "enhanced surveillance programme."
BP Cuts Dividend For First Time In A Decade After Record Losses BP has halved its shareholder dividend and posted a $6.7bn quarterly loss after the coronavirus pandemic hit global demand for oil.
The dividend news is another blow for pension funds and private investors who have seen a string of firms cut or halt payouts.
The loss was largely due to BP writing down the value of its assets after it cut its oil price forecasts. BP said the outlook for oil prices and demand was "challenging and uncertain."
It also warned that the pandemic could weigh on the global economy for a "sustained period."
In the short-term, BP said it expected demand for oil could be up to nine million barrels per day lower compared to last year. It has already announced it will cut 10,000 jobs, with as many as 2,000 set to be lost in the UK.
Oil prices have plunged after the coronavirus virtually shut down major economies.
In April, the price turned negative for the first time in history, meaning producers had to pay buyers to take oil off their hands over fear storage capacity could run out.
BP's loss for the three months to June compares to a $2.8bn profit in the same period last year. The oil giant said its dividend would halve to 5.25 cents a share, compared to 10.5 cents in the first quarter.
It follows a similar, earlier move by rival Royal Dutch Shell which cut its first quarter dividend in April - the first reduction to its shareholder payment since the Second World War.
Results Helpline Offering Support Across Scotland Thousands of young people can access dedicated results support when Skills Development Scotland’s (SDS) Results Helpline opens on Tuesday 4 August.
The free helpline from Scotland’s career service offers advice, information and guidance for young people and their parents and carers from 8am on results day. The number to call is 0808 100 8000.
Around 138,000 candidates across the country will receive their National, Higher and Advanced Higher results.
James Russell, SDS Director of Career Information, Advice & Guidance Operations, said:
“This year is unlike any other and young people receiving results and their families may be feeling more anxious which is understandable.
"This is the point when their work and efforts are recognised, our advice and support is available and our message is if your results aren’t what you expected, don’t worry, you have lots of options.
“Our careers advisers are here to help you and your parents and carers with information on all the options and opportunities on offer.”
Join DYW’s #NoWrongPath Campaign #NoWrongPath is DYW’s award-winning social media campaign which seeks to inspire and reassure young people by using stories from individuals in the world of work along with well-known faces that demonstrate that there is no wrong path to success.
Scottish school leavers receive their exam results tomorrow and it has never been more important to give them as much support and guidance as possible and to signpost them to destinations that they had perhaps never considered before or knew existed and we need your help to do it.
Please share your story across social media on Tuesday 4th August either in the form of a photograph detailing your own pathway from education or a short video using #NoWrongPath.
SCC Network Campaign To End Unfair Tariffs On Scottish Exports The Scottish Chambers of Commerce network, in partnership with the Scottish Whisky Association and others, are campaigning to #CallTimeOnTariffs on our exports to the USA, which runs from 3-11 August 2020.
Scottish businesses have been hit with a 25% tariff on exports going into the US since October 2019, which is having a dramatic effect on the amount and cost of goods and service’s that Scottish companies can provide their American counterparts and cannot continue to absorb these costs.
The USA is Scotland’s top international export destination. Exports were worth £5.5 billion in 2018, which was 16.3% of Scotland’s total international exports highlighting its importance to Scottish jobs and economy.
All Chambers have now received local versions of the campaign and should contact SCC if anything further is required.
Travel Planning Support Transport Scotland is offering free travel demand management workshops to employers in the Edinburgh and Glasgow Regions to enable you to better support your employees as they return to work following lockdown.
The free workshops will have a limited number of attendees to enable discussion and will be taking place next week.
If you would like to book a place, please email Sean Stephen at Mott MacDonald via the below link.
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